LGA1366, six memory sticks and tRFC

[dkm777]

Hi guys,

I've had my 1366 rig for a few years and it isn't the most stable or reliable rig that I ever build. I always chalked it up to the fact that there's a bazillion devices either integrated on the M/B or connected to it and all the drivers just don't play nice with each other. But I recently found out about tRFC and that it does terrible things to stability and performance when not properly set. What's worse is that most of the time memtest86+ or stress testing won't reveal the problem - only random BSODs will. So I have a question to those who remember running their 1366s with 6 sticks back in the day - what was your tRFC and how did you find your most stable setting?

 

[KentState]

My 1366 computer is still in use today with 6 sticks installed and is extremely stable. I don't even recall the last time it had a BSOD since inception in 2009. I've been exclusive to Asus motherboards for many years as they have always been extremely stable.

To answer your question, I didn't do anything but install the memory. I later overclocked and ran that way for a number of years without issues.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I'm running 6 sticks of corsair dominator ram and I didn't do anything special to the settings except lower the divider since I've upped the bus. I've been running this build 4 years now which makes it the oldest pc I've ever run for myself. I usually build a new one every 2 years but I'm satisfied with the performance of this one and unless someone gives me money for a new one this is how it will stay.

 

[dkm777]

Looks like you guys have great luck with memory compatibility. When I first got into 1366 I used an Asus Sabertooth, but it was so finicky with memory that I finally lost my patience and replaced it with a GA-X58A-UD5. Unfortunately by that time the supply of triple channel kits had dried out and I'm stuck with cheapest Kingston HyperX. My BSOD codes all point to a RAM problem, but as I said in my OP - couldn't confirm 100%. Funny thing is that touching the tRFC setting results in non-POST.

 

[john3850]

Because I was out of work at the time and wanted a 1366 I took a chance using a cheap new $65 asrock and mc 930 the fast Gskill Pi memory was the only good part of that build.
That 1366 with mixed sticks 1600MHz 2x3 and 3x4 at 21x201 or 4221 is still very stable with no BSODs to this day.
Many people here that got in on that cheap mb were using 1600MHz rated at 1.65v seemed to just have memory problems.

 

[coffeejunkee]

But I recently found out about tRFC and that it does terrible things to stability and performance when not properly set.

Afaik tRFC is only important when you want to set benchmark records, you know, squeeze the last few %. Else it should just be set by either SPD if you run stock or XMP if you overclock.

I think it's more likely either your cpu oc isn't stable or you might need some more qpi/vtt for the imc, that can help with fully populated banks. But first try running everything stock.